Scaffolding.



Patented June 5, I900.

F. KNOPFE.

SCAFFULDING.

(Application filed. July 6, 1898. Renewed. Jan. 2, 1900.)

m I l 1 WITNESSES A TTOHNE Y S.

UNITED STATES PATE T OFFICE.

FRANZ KNOPFE, OF CHEMNITZ, GERMANY.

.SCAFFOLDING.

SPECIFICATION forming part Of Letters Patent N0. 650,900, dated June 5,1900.

Application filed July 5,1898. Renewed January 2, 1900. $erial No. 168.(No model.)

[0 all whom it nc/y concern.-

Be it known that I, FRANZ KNOPFE, a citizen of the United States, and aresident of Ohemnitz-Beckenburcke, in the Kingdom of Saxony, Germany,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in. PortableScaffolding, of which the following is a specification, reference beinghad to the accompanying drawings, forming a part thereof, in whichsimilar letters and figures of reference indicate corresponding parts.

This invention relates to improvements in portable scaffolding, theobject of the invention being to provide a structure of this charactercontaining simple and interchangeable parts adapted to be quickly andaccurately assembled, whereby a substantial structure of any desireddimensions may be produced. The structure is of such a nature that thestrain is equally distributed, and by its use danger of accidentalcollapse is entirely obviated, while at the same time the parts may bereadily disassembled when desired for the purpose of transportation.

' The invention will be hereinafter fully described, and specificallyset forth in the annexed claims.

In the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, Figure1 is a side elevation of a section of my improved scaffolding. Fig. 2 isan end elevation thereof. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of a metalliccoupling forming part of the scaffolding. Fig. 4 is a longitudinalsectional elevation thereof. Fig. 5 is a plan view of the said coupling.Fig. 6 is a detail sectional elevation of a portion of the coupling,taken on a line a: a: of Fig. 5; and Fig. 7 is a vertical sectionalelevation of a socket forming part of my structure.

In the practice of my invention I provide, primarily, longitudinal beamsA, arranged parallel with each other to form a base or foundation forthe scaffold. Upon this base I place the sockets B, which said socketsare provided with flanges 12 for engagement with bolts 11, adapted forfastening the sockets to the base-beams A. These said beams rest uponthe ground, and for the purpose of adjusting them into horizontalposition upon uneven surfaces shoes 0 are secured to bolts 0 and passthrough threaded collars 0', formed in the ends of the beams, asillustrated in Fig.

The sockets B are furtherrying out my invention I employ a series ofmetallic couplings E. These said couplings are respectively suppliedwithrplatforms c, located horizontally and toone side of the center.They .are further provided, with ,extended recesses e for receivingbeams or joists 1,forming part of the scaffold. These recesses areextended opposite to each other in alinement with the central opening,and a further series of recesses e are extended at right angles theretofor the purpose of receiving cross-beams 2.

Angular extensions e are formed between the central openings and therecesses e for the purpose of receiving cross-braces D',which saidbraces engage openings e and are secured by means of nuts a Thecouplings are further provided With extended lugs c, with apertures etherein for engaging the cross-braces D, which are secured by means ofthe nuts cl. These said braces may comprise, if desired, two sections cland (1 connected to each other by means of turnbuckles (1 whereby thebraces may be stiflened, if desired.

The invention further comprises vertical columns F, comprising sectionsf and f, arranged parallel and in staggered relation to each other,their adjacent ends engaging with platforms 6 of the couplings E, thecolumn F passing entirely through the vertical opening of the saidcoupling, whereby a strong and continuous column may be built up to anydesired height. In building these columns a section f is placed within asocket B and extended upwardly through one of the couplings E, thecenter thereof engaging the inner edge of the platform 6. A section f isthen placed within the socket, its upper end resting beneath theplatform 6. Another coupling is then placed in reverse position, itsplatform resting on the upper end of the section f, and a furthersection f is then placed upon the platform e of the lower coupling andpassed through the upper couplin This operation is continued until thecolumn reaches the desired height, and any number of columns may beemployed, depending upon the dimensions of the scafiold required, thecouplings all being connected to each other and to the sockets by meansof the cross-braces D and D, as shown in the drawings.

It is obvious that a structure built in this way will be very durable,and it being braced in all directions causes an equalization of thestrain thereon, whereby all danger of accident by collapse is obviated.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

1. A scaffolding comprising a series of sockets mounted upon a movablebase, and a series of sectional columns resting in said sockets, saidcolumns comprising vertical sections arranged in staggered relation toeach other, and a series of couplings surrounding the said columns andcross braces connecting the couplings with each other and to thesockets, substantially as shown and described.

2. In a scaffolding, the combination of a series ofsocketshavinglugsprojected therefrom and a series of couplings having platforms locatedtherein,and aseries of sectional columns engaging said platforms, thesaid couplings having recesses projectingtherefrom, and also aperturedlugs, the apertured lugs engaging cross-braces, and the recessesengaging horizontally and laterally extended beams, substantially asshown and described.

3. In combination with a scaffolding comprising sectional columns, aseries of couplings engaging said columns, the said couplings havingplatforms therein for engaging adjacent ends of the said sectionalcolumns and also having recesses projected therefrom engaging lateraland longitudinal beams, and apertured projections engaging cross-braces,and a series of sockets secured to a portable base, the said socketsconnected with the said couplings by means of cross-braces,substantially as shown and described.

4. Ascalfolding comprisingaseries of sockets mounted upon a movablebase, said base having vertically-adjustable shoes connected thereto forthe purpose of leveling, and a Series of sectional columns resting insaid sockets,these columnscomprising vertical sections arranged instaggered relation to each other, and a series of couplings surroundingsaid columns, and diagonal cross-braces connecting the couplings witheach other and to the sockets; the several parts of the scaffoldingbeing interchangeable, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I have signed myname, in presence of two witnesses,tl1is 2d day 0fJune,18)8.

FRANZ KNOPFE.

Witnesses:

EUGEN NABEL, TH. ED. BAHAUF.

